Intrust Super Cup Round 18 preview

Author: QRL Media
Timestamp: Thu 12 Jul 2018, 08:02 PM

A blockbuster clash headlines Round 18 with the in-form Redcliffe Dolphins hosting the Burleigh Bears with both powerhouse clubs perched at the top of the Intrust Super Cup ladder.

>> This weekend the QRL will celebrate Men of League Round by all players wearing the iconic Men of League socks. The round will recognise the efforts of the Men of League volunteers, welfare officers and staff who dedicate their time and resources to helping those who have fallen on hard times.

Redcliffe Dolphins v Burleigh Bears at Dolphin Stadium, Saturday, July 14 – 1.10pm*
Live on Channel 9 QLD – broadcast from 1pm
Head-to-Head: Redcliffe 26 Burleigh 22 Drawn 1
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #BEARSvPHINS

Second-placed Redcliffe plays third-placed Burleigh in an Intrust Super Cup blockbuster on Saturday afternoon.
Redcliffe, led by former Manly five-eighth Cameron Cullen, will welcome the home ground support as they look to continue their winning ways following a strong away effort against PNG last weekend.
They meet a Burleigh Bears outfit coming off a 28-24 loss to the Norths Devils.
PNG Kumuls forward Luke Page will captain the Burleigh team.
This will be the 50th game between these two sides - the first time this milestone has been reached in the Cup.
The recent results of both teams points to this one being a close one – the Dolphins have won five of their past six home games; while Burleigh have won five of their seven away games this year.

Townsville Blackhawks v Ipswich Jets
Jack Manski Oval, Saturday, July 14 – 5pm
Head-to-Head: Ipswich 6 Townsville 3
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #TSVBvJETS

The Townsville Blackhawks now sit at the top of the table and take on a Jets side brimming with confidence after their imposing win last weekend where they scored 54 points against Mackay.
That result was their biggest ever winning margin and their first away win in four games.
The Jets come into this game with good form against Townsville, having won three of their last four games against them.
Ipswich have won the only game between these two sides played at Jack Manski Oval (2016)
However, the Blackhawks have won their last eight games at home
Both sides will field milestone men in this game with Townsville’s Andrew Niemoeller (all games with the Blackhawks) and Jets forward Ben White (all games for Ipswich) both reaching 50 games.

See the Round 18 Referees Appointments here

Norths Devils v CQ Capras
Bishop Park, Saturday, July 14 – 5pm
Head-to-Head: Norths 30 Central 10 Drawn 2
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #DEVILSvCQC

Following his two-try haul against the Bears last weekend, Norths centre Namila Davui (pictured below) now has 46 tries for the club; moving to third in their Cup rankings. He passed both Steve Bell and Kevin Carmichael (45) last weekend.
The Devils have definitely had the better of the results between the two sides in their most recent encounters and have won the past 12 games played between these two sides.
CQ’s last win at Bishop Park was in back 2011.
Norths have strong recent record at home and have won four of their five games played at Bishop Park this year.
The Capras have struggled on the road and have lost their last 11 away games.
Last week though they took their home game to Barcaldine and it paid dividends, with the side upsetting the Souths Logan Magpies.
They had two debutants in that side, with youngster Tanah Boyd and the experience Manaia Cherrington both making their first appearances for the club.
Capras coach Kim Williams moves to equal 10th with John Dixon in terms of games in charge; coaching his 136th Cup game.

See the Round 17 Judiciary Results here

Mackay Cutters v Easts Tigers
BB Print Stadium Mackay, Saturday, July 14 – 6pm
Head-to-Head: Easts 14 Mackay 9
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #MCvTIGES

Mackay Cutters coach Steve Sheppard will have called on his side to wipe the slate clean following their heavy 54-0 loss to Ipswich last week; their biggest ever losing margin in the Cup.
Young centre Kurt Wiltshire has not been named in their side, having represented the Queensland Under 20s in their win last night.
The last time these two sides met in Round 2; the Tigers clawed their way out of trouble with a close 26-24 win at Suzuki Stadium, Langlands Park.
Including their last win; the Tigers have claimed the honours in five of the past six encounters against the Cutters.
Mackay have struggled at home of late and have lost their past five and seven of their past eight home games, while the Tigers have won two of their past three away games.
After crossing for a second-half try in their win over the Pride last weekend, Tigers forward Shane Neumann moved to equal 10th place (with Reggie Cressbrook) on the Cup try scorers list with 89 tries.
Melbourne Storm recruit Marion Seve made his debut with the Tigers last weekend with a standout performance and is again named to play for his new team.

Tweed Heads Seagulls v Souths Logan Magpies
Piggabeen Sports Complex, Sunday, July 15 – 2.15pm
Head-to-Head: Souths Logan 17 Tweed 15
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #THSvSLM

The Tweed Heads Seagulls were left to rue a poor period of defence mid-way through the second half last weekend where they allowed Wynnum Manly to score four tries in 15 minutes to eventually lose a nail biter 24-22.
After producing a mini-surge to move themselves up the Intrust Super Cup ladder, the Seagulls have slipped in recent weeks, posting back-to-back losses.
Success has also been hard to come by for the Magpies who will be aiming to break a five-game losing streak.
Souths Logan have won the past six games played between these two sides, while Tweed Heads have won their past five games at Piggabeen.
Fresh from playing his part in the history-making win in the Under 20s game last night; Corey Allan has been named at fullback for the Magpies this weekend in place of last week’s debutant Tanah Boyd.
Souths skipper Phil Dennis is set to draw level with Troy Lindsay for most Cup appearances with 270.

PNG Hunters v Northern Pride
National Football Stadium, Sunday, July 15 – 3pm
Head-to-Head: Pride 4 PNG 4
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #PNGvPRIDE

The PNG Hunters will be looking to bounce back after a costly loss against the Redcliffe Dolphins last weekend; only their second in their past 14 home games.
While the head-to-head ledger is even at four games apiece; the Hunters have won three of the four games played against the Pride in PNG.
The last time these two sides met (Round 2 this year), the Pride proved too good in their 26-14 win.
The Pride’s Queensland Under 20 retrospectives Murray Taulagi and Jake Clifford (video below) were both named to play in this upcoming match.
Cowboy Ethan Lowe (pictured above) was also named earlier in the week to make the trip for the Pride.

Queensland U20s Halfback: Jake Clifford

Sunshine Coast Falcons v Wynnum Manly Seagulls
Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunday, July 15 – 3pm
Head-to-Head: Wynnum 11 Sunshine Coast 7
Twitter: #intrustsupercup #SCFvWYN
Livestream: Seagulls TV

With the scenic surrounds of Ron Stark Oval to inspire them last weekend, the Wynnum Manly produced a strong performance to claim a close win in their flockbuster against Tweed Heads.
With his double last weekend, Daniel Ogden (pictured below) moved to 151 Cup tries from 190 games.
The Sunshine Coast however were overcome by an imposing Townsville Blackhawks side who put the screws in early in the game; not allowing the Falcons to score until the 74^th minute.
The Sunshine Coast claimed a 23-22 win against the Gulls when they met in Round 2 with Kurt Aldridge kicking the field goal. Aldridge has since back to the NSW Cup competition this season; with Brentt Warr to take on the five-eighth role this weekend.
The Sunshine Coast have won the last 5 games between these 2 sides.
Sunshine Coast have won three of their past four home games.